A lengthening crack is threatening to cause an Antarctic ice shelf to collapse (Larsen C Ice Shelf)

Yahoo ^ | 8/22/16 | Andrew Freedman - Mashable

[NormsRevenge]

A large rift is widening across an increasingly fragile Antarctic ice shelf, scientists found. The crack is spreading across the Larsen C Ice Shelf at an increased rate, threatening to carve out an iceberg the size of Delaware while destabilizing a larger area of ice roughly the size of Scotland.

When this iceberg calving event happens — no one knows exactly when it will occur, except that it's getting closer — it will be the largest calving event in Antarctica since 2000, the third-biggest ever recorded and the largest from this particular ice shelf, scientists say.

About 10 to 12 percent of the Larsen C Ice Shelf is expected to break off during such an event, leaving the larger ice shelf even more vulnerable to melting from increasing air and ocean temperatures.

The iceberg and ice shelf melting would not, however, increase sea levels, since the ice is already resting in the ocean, like an ice cube in a glass.

[NormsRevenge]

[Rurudyne]

[SamAdams76]

[onona]

Heading to Las Vegas as we speak

[NormsRevenge]

[Raycpa]

Waiting for plumber jokes.

[RightGeek]

[rbg81]

So, we’re all doomed, eh?

[knarf]

Ya ..... so ?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Are we all going to die again?

[volunbeer]

We are doomed annually by these events....

[blackdog]

Trillions of tons floating sheet of ice twisting in the ocean currents and winds, how could cracking and splitting off ever be possible without the effects of man? /S

[stylin19a]

annual Larson C Ice Shelf warning sky is falling Ping

[RetiredTexasVet]

I guess this is the big one ... the one that raises the ocean 20 meters as Fat Al predicted way back in the 90s. Luckily, I’m in the Texas high plains where it will take quite a few more “big melts” to get here.

[plangent]

It has happened before. I will happen again. Nature at work.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Does this mean I’ll have beachfront property?